Once their plates were cleared, the server returned, carrying an empty tray. Beside Catherine, four empty glasses of wine sat in a neat line, her cheeks flushed a deep rose, a hiccup slipping out every now and then. She leaned back slightly, unfastening a few more buttons of her vest. The movement let her chest rise subtly, her curves catching the light, and her posture gave her a relaxed, teasing confidence that made her look effortlessly sensual. Her eyes glimmered as she glanced at Ryuu, half-lidded and mischievous, yet unmistakably warm.
"Are you going to be alright?" Ryuu asked, his concern flickering across his face. "Maybe a cup of coffee would help."
Catherine let out a soft, airy laugh. "I'll be fine," she said, voice low and husky with lingering wine warmth. "It's just… nice to breathe. I haven't had a proper break in far too long."
The server stepped close, wiping the table with practiced motions.
"Are they new in town, Ms. Catherine?" she asked.
"Yes," Catherine replied, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she leaned slightly forward, letting her figure accentuate naturally. "This handsome gentleman over here fixed the crane yesterday—it's running perfectly now. The harbor hasn't seen work like that in a while since our proper shipwrights left."
"Ah! Welcome to Asval, Thank you for helping in the docks, I heard the workers were having a nightmare over those every night - I'll be back in a bit, I'll collect the dishes." The server bowed gently before walking away.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow from her seat beside Ryuu, folding her hands elegantly on the table. Her smile was calm but carried a teasing edge. "Mister handsome, huh? looks like you're done hiding your true colors," she murmured, eyes flicking toward Catherine with an amused glint.
Ryuu coughed lightly, lowering his gaze to hide the faint blush creeping up his neck. "I-I'm just doing my job," he muttered—as dense as he was, his eyes can't help but magnetize towards Catherine's figure.
Cecilia locked eyes with Ryuu, cheeks puffed. "I'll kill you." She mouthed without a sound, causing the young man to retreat back to his empty cup of coffee.
The server returned quickly and with the dishes cleared and the server having disappeared once again into the kitchen, Catherine straightened, stretching her arms with a soft sigh. "Well, now that we're done," she said, her voice low and teasing, "we should get you two settled for the night."
Cecilia rose gracefully, her cloak brushing against the chair. "Lead the way," she said, stepping lightly, but her eyes never left Ryuu with that same teasing glint.
The three of them made their way through the warm, bustling common of the inn.They approached the reception desk, where a middle-aged innkeeper looked up from a ledger.
"Good evening," Catherine said. "We'll need two rooms—one for Mister Ryuu and another for… well, a companion."
Cecilia's eyebrow arched subtly. "Actually," she said, her tone smooth and deliberate, "I don't need my own room. I'll share with him. Why waste space when one will do?"
The innkeeper blinked, "Ah… Youth. Very well. One room, two occupants. Please sign here." He pushed a small ledger across the counter.
Ryuu hesitated, stealing a glance at the two women. He scribbled his name, careful to avoid any prolonged eye contact. Catherine's lips curved into a knowing, amused smile, while Cecilia leaned lightly on the counter, clearly enjoying the moment.
The innkeeper handed over a single key. "Top floor, harbor view. The Room's ready. Hot water is upon request, billed to the guild upon checkout. For Miss Catherine, the room beside it, as usual."
Catherine took her key and inclined her head toward the stairs. "Up we go, then. Try not to trip over each other."
Cecilia grabbed theirs and followed with a playful tilt of her head. "And try to behave, Mister handsome," she murmured in Ryuu's ear, her breath warm against his collar.
Ryuu groaned softly, realizing that settling in for the night would be far less about rest and far more about surviving the combined mischief of his two companions.
They opened their door while Catherine disappeared into her own room.
Ryuu stepped into the room, closing the door behind them. The first thing that struck him was the view: the harbor stretched out like a silver mirror beneath the moonlight, waves catching the glow of lanterns from the docks. Ships bobbed gently in the tide, their masts like spindly silhouettes against the dark water. Smoke from the distant furnaces drifted lazily over the port, curling into the night sky, mingling with the scent of salt and tar. The entire scene felt alive yet serene, a quiet pulse beneath the bustle of Asval.
Cecilia moved past him toward the bed, brushing aside the curtains to let the soft moonlight spill across the wooden floor. "Not bad, huh?" she murmured, her voice lighter now, tinged with amusement.
Ryuu exhaled, trying to steady himself. The room was modest—cozy enough, but the single bed in the center made the night immediately awkward. "So… one bed," he said, clearing his throat. "Now that I think about it, You… do you even need to sleep? During these past few days, where were you when I was asleep?"
Cecilia glanced back at him with a sly smile, hands resting on her hips. "Oh, I sleep," she replied smoothly, "I just roamed around while you were out to dreamy land. Don't worry about me."
Ryuu scoots tightly into the blanket, stomach tightened slightly as he shifted the blankets, wondering just how he was supposed to fit into this scenario without embarrassing himself—or accidentally giving one of them an excuse to tease him the entire night.
"Say, how come you've eyed Catherine but not me?"
Ryuu's ears flushed as he turned slightly, realizing Cecilia had tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Huh?" he stammered, fumbling with the edge of the blanket.
"You've been sneaking glances at Catherine all evening," Cecilia continued, a teasing lilt in her voice, "but not once did you look my way like that. I'm right here, you know."
Ryuu swallowed hard, heart thudding. "I… I wasn't—It's not like that."
Cecilia chuckled softly, the sound teasing and warm. "Relax. I'm just curious. You're… entertaining, you know that?" She shifted slightly, leaning against the headboard, keeping her eyes fixed on him with that same playful intensity.
Ryuu's inner thoughts churned as he hugged the blanket closer, cheeks burning. Never have I experienced this in my old world… and my body is reacting to all these… stimulating factors? I forgot that I'm driving a younger version of myself now… was I… easily stimulated back then, too?
He swallowed hard, trying to push the thoughts away, but the closeness of Cecilia, the teasing aura lingering in the air, made it impossible to ignore.
"I think I just recently realized the true extent of this body," Ryuu admitted with a sigh, eyes drifting toward the ceiling. "I've been old for so long that I think I forgot what it's like to feel this kind of… energy again. But truth be told, I do find you attractive—" he paused, "—I just don't think it's proper to say that to a goddess."
That earned him a light slap on the back.
"Oh, so it's fine for you to flirt like that with other women, and treat me like I'm a background, voiced NPC in a videogame back in your old world!?" Cecilia shot back, cheeks puffed as she started smacking him again—playfully, yet with enough force to make her point clear.
"Hey—hey! You're the one who dragged me into this world while I was trying to see the bunny girl of my dreams one last time!" Ryuu protested, as he turned to stop her.
His hand shot out to catch her wrist—one, then the other—but Cecilia's movement was quicker than expected. His grip slipped.
And before he could react, his palm met something soft, warm, and unmistakably not her wrist. A familiar feeling he had felt when he was summoned into this world.
"This is the second time you've reached for me," Cecilia said, voice dropping to a playful whisper. Her eyes glimmered, both teasing and daring. "You know… most mortals would call that a dangerous habit."
Ryuu froze, pulse quickening. "You make it sound like I planned it," he muttered, trying to pull back—but she caught his wrist with surprising gentleness.
"And if I told you I didn't mind?" she asked, leaning closer, her tone low and velvety. "Among us goddesses, a little curiosity isn't exactly forbidden."
Ryuu blinked, torn between reason and the warmth radiating between them. "Wait, are you saying this is… allowed?"
Cecilia grinned, mischief flickering in her eyes. "Let's just say divine rules tend to bend when the moment's interesting."
Their lips met — tentative, searching, almost cautious. For a heartbeat, neither moved, and then the hesitation melted away into something warmer, something that carried both curiosity and restraint.
Cecilia's breath hitched softly against his, a tremor running through her shoulders. Ryuu felt it, subtle but unmistakable — she was trembling too. That realization caught him off guard.
He pulled back just slightly, eyes searching hers. "You're shaking."
Cecilia blinked, cheeks a deep shade of pink that rivaled what little light seeps into the window. "S-so are you," she muttered, voice barely steady.
"I thought goddesses didn't get nervous," Ryuu said, half a laugh slipping out despite himself.
She puffed her cheeks, glaring just enough to hide the flush rising higher. "We don't. I'm just… testing mortal reflexes."
"Right," he said, tone dry, "because that sounded very scientific."
The corner of her lips twitched, betraying a smile she tried to suppress. "Maybe I just haven't… done this before," she murmured under her breath, almost too softly to hear.
Ryuu blinked. "Wait, you mean—"
"Shut up," Cecilia snapped, lightly smacking his arm, the embarrassment plain as day. "Don't make it weird!"
"Okay, I won't..." Ryuu dived in, slightly taking off Cecilia's dress, exposing her silky-smooth skin, ever so slightly, the side of her breast was exposed. He began to kiss her neck then down to her collar, then down to the top of her chest.
Cecilia moaned every now and then, her free hand gripping her pillow, trembling still, but clearly looking forward to what's next.
"R-Ryuu, I feel weird down there..." She looks at Ryuu, who also locked eyes with her. His hand glides through her dress, down to where her pearly gates would be and touched. Cecilia moaned harder this time. It's wet.
Ryuu's breathing deepened, something as hard as Ironwood is starting to extend from the very fabrics of his tightly-closed working clothes.
He looked at Cecilia once again. She gave a small, nervous nod, anticipation glimmering in her eyes as Ryuu's hands brushed lightly against the hem of her dress, setting aside the thin fabric that separated warmth from skin.
"Be gentle with me," she whispered.
"I thought you'd say, 'treat me like one of your half-broken ships,'" Ryuu murmured.
That earned him a sharp smack on the arm—harder than the last.
"Honestly! Can't you be serious for once?" Cecilia's flustered face glowed faintly under the moonlight, caught between irritation and embarrassment.
"Okay, I deserve that. Sorry. I'll be gentle." Ryuu unzipped his pants and gently pushed in. His hand that used to grab Cecilia by the wrist is now between her fingertips.
"Ahhn~ It's too big, I can feel my insides expanding." She shot at Ryuu, one foot poised against the bed as if she's trying to get away.
"Should I stop?" Ryuu pulled back, his tip already wet from her entrance.
Cecilia relaxed, her leg straightening, "N-no, go on."
Ryuu continued, breaking her gate's divine seal. A tear rolls down from Cecilia's right eye, in pain mixed with pleasure.
A single tear slipped down her cheek. "It's… strange," she said softly, forcing a faint laugh. "It feels like I'm being torn apart inside… but don't stop. I want to remember this."
The night deepened, as the two enjoyed, and felt each other's body. The boundaries between a mortal and divinity, broken in the heat of the moment.
"I-I think I'm coming again~ Ahh~" Cecilia, who is now on top, released another wave of energy. Ryuu followed without warning, leaving a trail of silky-white trace of his essence mixed with Cecilia.
"I came by accident." He admitted, his face flushed, "You were too tight."
Cecilia pants hard, "It's okay...I love how it felt. That was amazing." She smiled softly before landing her back next to Ryuu on the bed.
Out of nowhere, his runes, changed color into faint gold and shimmered into view beside Ryuu, spinning slowly like curious fireflies.
[New Skill Unlocked: Sexual Prowess][Number of active lovers recorded: 1]
[Number of lovers awaiting approach recorded: 1]
Ryuu froze mid-breath, eyes darting toward the glowing text. "…Even in situations like this!? What kind of skill and status are these anyway!?"
Cecilia's face went scarlet in an instant. "Wh–what?! Why is that even a system feature!?"
The runes pulsed cheerfully, as if proud of themselves.
[Syncing to Goddess Library]
"Don't you dare sync that!" Cecilia squeaked, summoning a small burst of divine light in her palm. She waved it furiously toward the runes like shooing away a swarm of bugs. "System override! Manual shutdown!'"
The runes flickered, sputtered, and vanished with a faint pop.
"Unbelievable..."
"I agree. I never expected to gain a new skill in this way and had it announced in such fashion."
Cecilia retreated into her part of the blanket, and hugged Ryuu, "Whatever, I'm sleeping."
"Yeah, I think I'll need that for tomorrow, too.